“The staff on duty at the time are extremely experienced stockmen and have dealt with bloat in previous roles.

The farm run by West Yorkshire-based farm management company Evolution Farming, in Houghton Lane, between Houghton on the Hill and Stoughton, where 55 cows died (Image: Leicester Mercury)

“The condition of the cows was so extreme, they made the decision to perform emergency rumendectomies, using a cannula to release the gas directly through the cows’ sides. This quick thinking undoubtedly saved several cows’ lives.”

He added: “Once this emergency action had been taken, the vet was called. By the time he arrived, more cows had collapsed, some in yards, leading the vet to suggest the cause wasn’t from eating plant matter or clover in the pasture, but from the water system.

“More cows succumbed as the whole team worked with the vet to treat and make them comfortable.We were also taking the water system down, cleaning it through and finding alternative water supplies.

“We want to express our huge gratitude to Leicestershire Fire Service, who worked tirelessly until dawn to bring fresh water supplies to the cows on-site.”

He added: “No more cows have come down with the symptoms since last night and we believe we have managed to contain the issue.

The farm run by West Yorkshire-based farm management company Evolution Farming, in Houghton Lane, between Houghton on the Hill and Stoughton, where 55 cows died (Image: Leicester Mercury)

“The first cows suffered symptoms after afternoon milking but we have agreed with our milk buyer Arla that this milk will not be collected.

“Although the water system for the farm is isolated and no water can enter the mains, we have also ensured that washings from the flushed water system have not been spread on the ground.

“We notified Severn Trent Water as soon as we realised the problem was likely to be water-related and they are satisfied that there is no risk to their supply quality.”

He added: “We are investigating what exactly caused these symptoms and how this could have happened.”

An NFU spokesperson said: “The NFU will be offering its support to Mr Rawson and his team at this difficult time.”

A LFRS spokeswoman said: “We mobilised a water carrier from Loughborough and Wigston’s pump which ferried water from a hydrant to and from the farm as well as providing the dam.”